In July IMG announced the shutdown of Toronto Fashion Week and since then attempts by several questionable fashion groups to capitalize on the absence of a flagship fashion event in Toronto has occurred.
The need to support local designers and artisans has become even more apparent for Canada's most populous and frequently hailed city. This year, The Economist ranked Toronto as the fourth most livable city in the world and the city's most prominent ambassador, Drake, consistently gives ˜The Six' shout-outs, most recently at the 2016 American Music Awards.
It is no secret that Toronto's fashion scene has lacked widespread support. However, it begs the question, what if things started differently with a focus on business first?
One unassuming place whose sees the importance of focusing on the business of fashion is Kingston, Jamaica. The vivacious city is burgeoning with creative talent and a five-year-old affair called Collection MoDA is addressing this. Collection MoDA is a week-long fashion and trade show event whose aim is to expose and engage the country's residents to support local and international design talent and artisans. During a recent trip to check out this event I spoke with several MoDA participants, from designers to a boutique owner, on their experiences and on the evolution of the style in the country.
Courtney Washington, designer
Jamaican-born designer, Courtney Washington has dressed celebrities like Angela Bassett and Erykah Badu. This is his third season showing and selling his clothing at Collection MoDA, and he keeps returning because of the quality and high standard of the event.
Jamaican women are women of style, whether they’re living here [in the country] or abroad. There’s something about the majority of them who understand style and they know how to carry themselves.
